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Rocksmith 2014 by Ubisoft launches today and the updated game is already turning heads of both fans and artists. The release of Rocksmith 2014 also adds yet another jewel to Epiphone's 140th anniversary crown. Epiphone has been the official instrument maker of Rocksmith since it first launched in 2011 and like any industry-changing product, the arrival of Rocksmith--paired with Epiphone--seems like it was always fated to happen. Rocksmith 2014 adds a number of features that will not only attract new players but also seasoned players seeking new ways to learn new tunings, new chords, as well as new songs.

The Rocksmith 2014 library has also been greatly expanded with tunes by The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Radiohead, Kiss, and Nirvana.

The 2014 edition also features the new Instant Riff Repeater, which lets players choose the difficulty, speed and section of each track they play, helping them focus on the particular sections that they struggle with the most. Players are now in full control of their learning pace and can master every part of the songs they want to learn.

For new Epiphone fans, check out our Rocksmith 2014 feature, which will give you the chance to contrast and compare some of our most popular models for beginners. Here you can also enter our yearlong Rocksmith 2014 sweepstakes with a chance to win a Les Paul as well as t-shirts, hats, and more!

Also, check out our Performance and Player Pack page, which offers an overview of Epiphone's fantastic assortment of all-in-one packages that include not only a guitar but an amp, strap, cable, tuner, and more!

New fans and old friends should also check out our Epiphone history page which goes in-depth into the Stathopoulo family that founded Epiphone and the formation of Epiphone in New York City, the company's breakthrough acoustic designs in the 30s, the long friendship with master tinkerer, pop star, and all around entertainer Les Paul, and the legendary years at the Kalamazoo factory in Michigan.

During the late 50's and early 60s, the Kalamazoo factory produced not only the Les Paul Standard but also the Casino (loved by Gary Clark Jr., and The Beatles among many), the Sheraton (John Lee Hooker, Alabama Shakes), the Wilshire (FUN., Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter), the Texan (Paul McCartney, Kurt Cobain), and new creations like the Ultra III, the Riviera Custom P93 (Jeff Tweedy), and signature models by Brendon Small, Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance, and Tommy Thayer of KISS. All of these guitars can also be used with Rocksmith 2014.

For further reading on Epiphone's long history as both a maverick and an industry leader, check out guitar historian Walter Carter's new in-depth history book, The Epiphone Guitar Book and our interview with Walter about his forensic research into the long and mysterious history of the Stathopoulo family.

Keen observers of guitar blogs will also want to check out the hubbub that Epiphone stirred up this summer with our feature story and video about our ProBucker pickups. Epiphone ProBuckers feature 18% Nickel Silver unit bases and covers, the same alloy used by Gibson. The use of Nickel Silver reduces the occurrence of eddy currents due to low conductivity and provides a more transparent and crisp output. The size and shape of bobbins also has a great impact on tonal response. The bobbins used on the ProBucker pickups duplicate the size and shape of the gold standard in the industry, Gibson humbuckers. Epiphone ProBucker pickups also feature sand cast Alnico II magnets, high quality 4 conductor lead wire and are vacuum wax potted to eliminate microphonics. The Epiphone ProBucker pickups were put up against the best boutique pickup makers in the business in a blind test and both artists and a few high profile guitar magazine editors got the shock of their life when they picked the ProBuckers as their favorite.

Rocksmith fans will also enjoy reading up on Epiphone's long friendship with Les Paul, the man whose name alone stands for the most famous guitar in rock and roll. The Wizard of Waukeshahad a special place in his heart for Epiphone. Founder Epi Stathopoulo---a keen inventor himself--valued Les's advice and gave Les a key to use the Epiphone factory at night where Les made his first prototype of a solid body guitar--the infamous "Log." In fact, Les was suggesting new prototypes to Epiphone President Jim Rosenberg well into his 90s.

"The Log" was part Epiphone, part railroad tie, and a bona fide hit maker that--contrary to popular belief--was the sound behind Les's many hits with future wife Mary Ford.

So welcome Rocksmith 2014 fans--new and old--to the world of Epiphone. Check out our artist interviews, guitar features, and history features. But most of all, get yourself an Epiphone and plug into Rocksmith 2014 today and discover the joys of playing an instrument.